February, forgettable or fabulous?
- Karen Wilson: Family Corner
- February 21, 2020
- 1370
February in Ohio usually means snow, cold, mud or a varying combination of the three. Although the days get progressively longer, dark still arrives early in the day. The novelty of snow, if we have it, has worn away. Days have more gray than sunny skies. People have frayed nerves and get increasingly restless. So it’s time to bring on some fun.
But what’s fun to do this time of year? My bicycle and kayak went into storage a few months ago.
Well, get out of the house for some indoor fun. Travel to that museum you have wanted to visit. Go for a factory tour. Indulge in a restaurant lunch.
Stroll through a bookstore. I love used bookstores, so this option can be dangerous for my wallet. Consequently I like to spend hours in libraries too.
Make a list of specialty stores and drive from one to the other. Compile a list of antique stores or other specific types of businesses so you can concentrate on one particular category.
Or mix it up a bit. Our family sometimes picks a general area to visit. Then we look for outdoor stores, antique stores, bookshops and bulk stores in the area so each member of the group gets in a particular interest as well as enjoying the company of the others.
Need a breath of fresh air?
Pick a town with a vibrant downtown. Bundle up and walk from store to store. Stop at a coffee shop to warm up.
If you really need an outdoor fix, grab your coat and head to a local bike or hiking trail. Dress in enough layers to adjust for the conditions. Wear appropriate footwear to keep your feet dry and warm. Fewer crowds can make this time of year a particularly great time for trails. And a bit of time outside can do wonders, no matter the season.
On the other hand, if you have grown tired of braving the elements to get to work or you labor outdoors, settling in at home may be just the thing.
Start a fire in the fireplace if you have one. Pick a favorite book to delve into. Choose a family favorite and take turns reading to each other.
Set up a table with a jigsaw puzzle so hands can stay busy during the story.
Try some new recipes or organize the ones you have. I tend to get in a cooking rut. I’m content eating the same foods frequently, but my husband is not. So this season is perfect to collect, organize and try some new things.
I would rather bake than cook, so I really enjoy mixing up new breads, cookies and such.
On another side of the food theme, I love to indulge in long hours reading descriptions in seed catalogs. What fun planning which seeds to order, which to start indoors, which to plant directly in the soil. I even go so far as to sketch the layout of my garden.
While you are thinking ahead, what better time to fantasize about your summer vacation? Now is a wonderful time to research and plan that fabulous adventure or relaxing trip. Pick an area and get the kids to find places they want to visit.
Settle in to write in your journal. Perhaps start one.
Send emails to people you have not caught up with for a while. Or you could even write a letter on paper and use a stamp.
Take a long walk or run inside. Crank up the treadmill, start a good movie and walk while you watch. I like action movies for running. Both get the adrenaline going.
Although February can feel rather bleak, it certainly doesn’t have to be. Find ways your family can enjoy it. You may discover it becomes an unexpected favorite.